The Rod Stewart Sessions 1971-1998

EXCELLENT COMPILATION:
This 4-disc set profiles the hits of Rod Stewart from the very beginning (1969) to 1998 and has an updated version of the classic first issued under the name of 'Python Lee Jackson' - 'In A Broken Dream'. This is a fantastic insight into the long career of Stewart, although I do rather think that its no wonder that some of them have never before seen the light-of-day, I think that had they done so before Rod Stewart became the superstar that he is today, he would quite likely still be digging graves!, although none sink to the depths of the early version of 'Rosie' on the special edition of 'A Night On The Town' released earlier this year, THAT is a track that really does make you squirm! Anyway, back to 'The Sessions' set; an excellent compilation and most beautifully packaged - and definitely a MUST-HAVE for anyone who has followed the career of Rod Stewart, now in its fifth decade and showing no sign of waining. Indeed, his latest album 'SOULBOOK' reveals that Rod's unique voice is as good as ever, and proves beyond all doubt that he posseses the excellent skill and ability of turning his hand to any classic song and making it all his very own. 10/10 Geoff Garoghan. ©

ROD'S BEST "ORIGINAL" SINCE "OUT OF ORDER"
I only give this 4 stars because (for me) the 1st disc & 2nd disc are mostly inferior versions of previously released studio recordings. That being said, there are two discs worth of "new" material. "Think I'll pack my Bags" is a sparse mid tempo winner that should have been included on "Smiler". "Rosie" is a folky b-side from "A night on the Town" sessions. The collection kicks into gear with "When I'm Away from You" (which should have been hit) deleted from "The Greatest Hits", "Time of My Life" is a stripped down heartbreaker from the "Foolish Behavior" sessions, as is the upbeat "Maybe Baby" which also should have been a hit. Disc 3 really kicks things into gear, "I wish you Would" is a studio demo from "Body Wishes" that rawks, "Show Me" is more organic than a lot of what ended up on BW. "Hard Lesson to Learn" is an acoustic version of another b-side, with some real heartfelt lyrics, "Love is a Four Letter word" is another terrific ballad, and the demo version of "Forever Young" is a terrific example of what Rod's capable of when he puts pen to paper. "A Good Lover is Hard to Find" is an out take from "Vagabond Heart" & would have made an exceptional 1st single from that album. Disc 4 is a full cd of gems from the '90's with "hits" galore. I (we) should be thankful for all the great music from this artist in the '60's, '70's, '80's & '90's, however, after listening to disc 4, it makes me wish Rod would get his acoustic guitar out & start writing songs again. These demos & out takes & b-sides are better than any of the covers he's been doing for the last ten years. If he never writes another song, however, I'll be happy that I picked up this collection & you'll be too.

What were they thinking???
I've been a life long fan of Rod's work going back to the Jeff Beck band and while there are without a doubt substantial, essential gems in this collection - there are some duds and downright embarassments as well. That's really too bad since there are a number of really great b-sides and outtakes I'm sure spanning the same periods which were left off. Additionally, Rod's as much at home on stage as he is in the studio so by limiting this historical collection to "sessions", still unreleased classic live raritie such as fantastic covers of "Dock Of The Bay" or "Sweet Soul Music" are left out. I've seen photos of Rod sharing the stage with one of his idols, David Ruffin. Surely that's been recorded and molding a way in a vault somewhere. This was an opportunity to put together a portrait of the artist's past that really could have been a jaw dropping listening experience from the first track of disc one to the last track of disc four. Did we really need a demo of "You Wear It Well" where the bulk of the lyric content is "La-la-la" as Rod hadn't had it half written then or a drunken fueled ode to his dad's trousers? There are some incredible things in this set which are worth the price of admission alone! "Girl From The North Country" is done so well as to be hauntingly addictive and leaves one wondering how it was omitted for the prior release as in so many ways, it's a superior take. "In A Broken Dream" leaves the former Python Lee Jackson version which Rod lent vocals to in the dust! David Gilmour's guitarwork and John Paul Jones helping out with Rod's vocal upgrade bring this right into the present and totally recreate this lamenting ballad into a peice of sheer musical genius. Rod's covers of "Maybe Baby" and "King Bee" are also missed opportunities in my opinion. To have works like this sitting in the vaults seem criminal. "Show Me", "Heaven" and "I Go To Jail For You" will leaving you shaking your head in bewilderment as to how these could have been dropped from any tracklist! "Heaven" has hit single written all over it as does the re-working of the gorgeous ballad, "Sweet Surrender". To be sure this set has it's share of winners but some of the demo's are lame. Add the comical, though sometimes embarrasing, alcahol-inspired, hidden tracks and you have a lot of disc space which could have been far better utilized had some more imagination gone into this project. According to the liner notes, Arnold Stiefel made the vaults wide open to the producers. I can't imagine that there weren't a vast number of really great moments omitted in favor of the unfinished or mediochre material taking up otherwise precious space. This also makes for an uneven listening experience, when an inferior demo is spaced in between two good tracks or followed by a sloppy inferior performance. Overall this box set is loaded with tracks that fall into one of three categories...either stunning genius representative of the quality we've come to expect from Rod, material he's only just started working on which is sometimes painful to listen to or drunken silliness that's simply detracting from everything else. All in all it's a good job that could have been fantastic. What is great earns it three stars and what's not has cost it two.

BETTER than "Storyteller"
"Storyteller" was a fantastic 4-CD compilation of Rod Stewart issued way back in 1988. At the time , and still to this day , "Storyteller" was one of the very best box sets ever assembled. The Faces box set came out in the 00's , and the Stewart canon was further enhanced. Now we have "The Rod Stewart Sessions 1971-1998" to form a perfect trio. WOW !! The care and concern that went into this box is amazing. Not a single track has been issued before. Alternate versions , demo tracks , early takes , hidden tracks , this box has it all. Sure , you're going to know almost all the tracks , but none have been heard this way before. Rod is in fine voice through the entire set. Most accompaniment is minimal , but that is what makes this box work so well. Most of the tracks are left without most of the embellishments that the released versions suffered from. This box makes me appreciate the talents of Mr. Stewart even more than "Storyteller" , as it shows the artist at work. A true gem.

An incredible collection of music - must have for any fan
Wow this collection is simply amazing!! - I don't write reviews but feel I must since this is not getting the attention it deserves. I have had a week to listen and what an incredible and deep set of unreleased recordings. Perhaps the best part is the completely new songs such as When I'm Away From You, May You Never, Hard Lesson To Learn and the foot stompin Thunderbird to name a few) but for me it's hearing alternate versions of classics and unvarnished versions of his 80s and 90s material that was far too often overproduced. Here, these songs shine with the raw power of Rod's vocal cords. This is a must-have and most significant release of Rod Stewart recordings since the 70s.